And they do it again at dawn!
Residents of Thirsk, a town in northeast England, take great pride in their flourishing duck population. When they noticed that their cherished ducks were facing difficulties, the community knew it was time to take action.
Wood, who works at a hotel near the parking lot where the ducks roost, made it her mission to keep an eye on them. However, she quickly realized that she couldn’t manage the care of the ducks on her own. To rally support, she created a Facebook page titled “Thirsk Ducks” to see if others would join her in looking after the feathered friends.
“Since I work nights, I needed help to protect them,” Wood explained. “I set up the page mainly to ask for assistance, and it gained a huge following overnight.” Through their Facebook group, these dedicated “Duck Wardens” established a structured system for the ducks’ protection. They organized morning shifts to guide the ducks from their parking lot to the river, evening shifts for the return journey, and night shifts to watch over the ducks while they sleep.
The Duck Wardens even placed cones around the ducks’ roosting area to shield them from passing cars. Just weeks after the initiative began, the ducks appeared to appreciate the support.
“We set up the cones before they arrive from the river, and some of them fly in and settle in the cones before we even get there with the others,” Wood noted. “It seems they’ve gotten used to it and are doing it on their own.”
For Wood, safeguarding the ducks holds special significance, as she has fond memories of feeding them with her grandmother as a child. Now, she takes her own children to continue this cherished tradition.
“It’s a tradition not only for me but for the whole town,” Wood said.
Thanks to Thirsk’s newest duck-related initiative, the birds can remain comfortable and safe, bringing joy to their caretakers as well.